Ants are pests that don’t bother us very much until they start making a mess of our lawns or start getting into our homes. When either of those things happens, we quickly become annoyed with these small insects. Although most ant species are nuisance pests, none of them are completely harmless, and there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t want them in your house.
If you’ve ever dealt with ants in your house, you know how difficult it can be to get them out. One day everything seems fine, and the next, you’re finding dozens of ants all over the place. Once they’re inside, or if you have a serious issue with them outdoors, you may need pest control in Akron. Find out how to get rid of ants in your Akron home below.
Identifying Common Ant Species
There are thousands of species of ants in the world, but just a few are likely to get into your Akron home. Little black ants, called odorous house ants, are one of the most common ant species in our area. These ants get inside while looking for a new place to nest or while looking for food. They get their name from the unpleasant smell they emit when squished.
Pavement ants are another common ant species that are most often found outside. They are slightly larger than odorous house ants and are often found along the edges of your driveway or around the ant hills they create on your lawn. Pavement ants can get inside while foraging for food.
Carpenter ants are the biggest of the common ant species in Akron. These ants live around wood, especially wood that is wet or has moisture damage. They often get into homes and nest in the walls.
Ants In The Home Can Create Many Problems
An ant infestation isn’t just a nuisance; it’s also a cause for concern. While odorous house ants and pavement ants are unlikely to harm you or damage your house, they will contaminate your food. They’ll also create unnecessary stress in your life as you try to get rid of them.
Carpenter ants are the ants that you most need to worry about. These ants will chew through wood, which is bad news for your house if they get inside. Over time, the tunnels that carpenter ants will create in your walls can lead to weakened support structures, which can put your house and family in danger.
Prevention Is Critical To Successful Ant Control
If you want to keep ants out of your house, there are things you can do to prevent them. Try the following ant prevention tips for the most effective results:
- Fix moisture issues in and around your home since ants are often attracted to moist or humid areas.
- Cut back tree branches and other foliage that touches the sides or roof of your house to prevent bridges that ants can use to access your house.
- Store firewood off the ground and away from your house.
- Seal all cracks and crevices into your house, no matter how small.
- Clean up spills, crumbs, and dirty dishes after each meal.
- Take out your trash on a regular basis.
- Store food in containers with tightly-fitting lids.
By enacting these preventative measures, you can help make it harder and less likely for ants to get into your Akron home.
The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Ants
Ant control for homeowners is available for those who need it. Once ants get into your house, it can be difficult to get them out without help. Epcon Lane provides pest control in Akron, Ohio, that homeowners need to solve their ant problems.
Ant pest control services are best performed by professionals who understand the biology of different ant species and can tailor our treatment methods to the species in your home. Get in touch with Epcon Lane today for help with ants and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Akron.